Summary of the Proceedings and Papers Presented at - World ...

The Insula del Centenario Project
by Daniela Scagliarini Corlaita, Sara Santoro, Antonella Coralini
The Insula del Centenario
Project was begun in
1999, following a specific
agreement between the
Soprintendenza Archeologica di
Pompei and the University of Bologna,
according to Article10 of L.
352/1997 (the so-called Legge per
Pompei). The project’s aims are
the study, documentation, and valorization
of Insula IX of Pompeii,
called the Insula del Centenario
after the large house excavated in
1879/1880, which occupies much
of the block. The agreement entrusts
the University, through its
Archaeology department, with the
task of scientific research of the
Insula, while the Soprintendenza
is responsible for its tutelage.
The University of Bologna Pompeii
Project has turned the Insula
del Centenario into an interdisciplinary
laboratory for young archaeologists,
where they are afforded
an opportunity to develop
and test new technologies and
methodologies. Thanks to a spirit
of interchange between institutions,
the project has fostered,
since its beginning, collaboration
with teams from the Universities of Parma, Modena and
Reggio Emilia, Ferrara and “La Sapienza”, as well as research
corporations (ITABC/CNR CINECA). Particular attention
has focused on archaeometry and ‘virtual reality’.
After five years of intense work, the Pompei Insula del
Centenario Project may be considered, from all the points
State of the Art and virtual reconstruction
of the “Cortile”
italiano
of view, a successful experience.
In terms of scientific research,
members of the project team have
attended some 50 meetings, written
60 articles, three monographs
(due out in 2004) and another
three articles in preparation, and
mounted a travelling exhibition to
be shown in five places. In terms of
didactic and educational engagement,
some 250 students, Italian
and foreign, have been instructed.
As to aspects of organization and
management, and especially the
difficult but necessary job of fundraising,
the project has until now
obtained support from funding
institutions specifically interested
in scientific research (e.g. Ricerca
Orientata, COFIN, Parnaso, EU
funds). Project staff have also
worked hard to gain allocations
from private sponsors (Banca Popolare
di Napoli, Credito Varesino,
Makroform, Gruppo Bayer).
Research and preservation
works developed in parallel. In
2000, work began on testing restoration
coverings in polycarbonate,
presented at a convention on
coverings for archaeological sites
in Bologna in October 2000. In 2001, the Project’s archaeological
laboratory and the Soprintendenza’s restoration studio
worked together, carrying out a survey and preparing
the necessary documentation and restoration planning. The
Project’s latest results include “Restoration Guidelines” prepared
in close collaboration with the Soprintendenza.